Close to 250 people showed up at Bowring Park in St. John’s Saturday afternoon, wearing masks, costumes and “their mother’s big 42 bras” to celebrate a unique Newfoundland and Labrador tradition.

The 15th annual St. John’s Mummers Festival began with a parade around the park. Those who took part clapped, danced and beat their drums and ugly sticks. 

It finished at the park’s amphitheatre with well-known traditional singer Bud Davidge singing his iconic Mummers song, along with some other tunes, to entertain the enthusiastic crowd.

Mummering, or janneying, in this province dates back to the 1800s. Mummers wear masks to hide their faces and wear oversized clothes as others try to guess their identities. It’s become a fun custom over the years.

While the practice of going from house to house is not as popular these days in urban centres, the festival and The Mummers Song — first sung 40 years ago by Davidge and his band Simani — help keeps mummering alive.

“This old song we did back in 1983 is still going strong,” Davidge told NTV during a break in the festivities Saturday. “It’s unbelievable.”

NTV will have more on the Sunday Evening News Hour.